Subfloor conveyor systems

ABSTRACT

A subfloor conveyor system comprising a chain mounted for movement beneath the slot of a floor and a plurality of longitudinally spaced trolleys mounted on the chain and engaging the track. Each trolley has a surface adapted to be engaged by a tow pin of a carrier movable along the floor. Each trolley comprises a body which has an opening at one end and a slot at the other that engage respective longitudinally spaced vertical projections on the chain. The configuration of the body adjacent the slot is such as to facilitate assembly of the trolley body to the carrier and disassembly for repair without removing the chain from its position in the floor.

United States Patent 1 91 1111 3,749,027 Adler et al. [4 1 July 31, 1973 [54] SUBFLOOR CONVEYOR SYSTEMS 3,625,464 12/1971 Conran 248/223 Inventors: Ralph w. Adler, Ut ca; bert 2,631,800 3/1953 Pinkston 248/25 Goldsteiu, Southfield; Robert Haase,

Troy, a" of Mich. Primary Exammer-Gera.ld M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerLawrence J. Oresky [73] Assignee: American Chain & Cable Company ZIIOrney-Arthur Ra1sch, BasiTC. Foussianes et all I Inc., New York, NY.

22 Filed: Nov. 1, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT A subfloor conveyor system comprislng a chain [21] PP N04 1941323 mounted for movement beneath the slot of a floor and a plurality of longitudinally spaced trolleys mounted on 52 US. (:1. 104/172 11'1" the chain engaging the track- Each Wiley 51 Int. Cl B6111 13/00 Surface adapted to be engaged by P of a carrier 58 1 Field of Search 104/172 ET, 172 c; mvable "8 the Each "Olley COmPYiSeS 198/168; 248 19 R 361 R, 223 287/20 924 which has an opening at one end and a slot at the other that engage respective longitudinally spaced vertical [56] References Cited projections on the chain. The configuration of the body UNITED STATES PATENTS ad acent the slot 1s such as to facllitate assembly of the trolley body to the carrier and disassembly for repair 2,660,127 11/1953 Boyko et al 104/ 172 BT without removing the chain from its position in the 3,126,838 3/1964 Bradt 104/172 131 floor 1,248,320 11/1917 Hamilton 248/223 2,312,985 3/ 1943 Bales 248/223 17 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU Jul 3 SHEET 3 BF 3 2 OLOSIE IN AASE INV RALPH W. ADE ALBERT 6 BY RosER'r H ATTORNEYS 1 SUBFLOOR CONVEYOR SYSTEMS This invention relates to subfloor conveyor systems and particularly to the chain and trolley structure for such systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In subfloor conveyor systems, conventionally, a plurality of carriers, such as wheeled trucks, are moved along a floor by engagement of tow pins on the carriers with a chain moveable in a slot beneath the floor. The chain usually supports trolleys which have a tow pin engaging surface. The structures heretofore known and used make the procedures of assemblying and disassemblying the trolley to and from the chain time con- SUMMARY In accordance with the present invention, each trolley comprises a body which has an opening at one end and a slot at the other that engages respective longitudinally spaced projections on the chain. The configuration of the body adjacent the slot is such as to facilitate assembly of the trolley body to the carrier and disassembly for repair without removing the chain from its position in the floor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary part sectional elevational view of a subfloor conveyor system embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow 4 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary part sectional side elevational view of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, the invention relates to a subfloor conveyor system wherein a plurality of wheeled carriers or trucks 10 are moved along a floor 11 and a tow pin 12 on each carrier 10 engages one of a plurality of trolleys 13 that are moved along by a chain 14.

Referring to FIG. 5, in accordance with the invention the chain 14 comprises vertically spaced links 15 and interconnecting horizontal links 16 that are pivotally interconnected about vertical axes by pins 17. Some of the pins 17 have threaded projections 18, 19 that extend vertically upwardly for mounting the trolley bodies thereon as presently described.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 6, each trolley 13 comprises a body 20 that has a generally vertical forwardly facing surface 21 for engaging the tow pin 12 of a carrier. Each body 20 further has a hold back dog 22 pivotally connected thereto by a horizontal pin 23 to provide a rearwardly extending surface 24 which may be engaged by the tow pin 12 to prevent undesired forward movement of the carrier. Wheels 25 are rotatably mounted on the body and engage a track formed by inwardly spaced channels 26 so that the trolley bodies suspend the chain beneath the track. A suitable enclosure 27 (FIG. 3) is provided about the chain.

In the area beneath the wheels 25, the body includes a generally horizontal flat surface 30. At the forward end of the body the bottom surface is curved upwardly and forwardly as at 31. The body further includes a circular opening 32 at the rear end thereof through which projection 19 is adapted to extend and an opened ended slot 33 at the forward end thereof overlying the curved surface 31. In the area of the slot the body is cut away as at 34 to define spaced fingers 28 that extend forwardly from the body and a generally vertical forwardly extending surface 35 for purposes presently described.

In order to assemble the trolley body and the chain, a square nut 36 is first threaded on the projection 18 to a predetermined position. The trolley body is then moved at an angle shown in broken lines in FIG. 5 to bring the fingers 28 into underlying relationship to the nut 36. The body is then rotated, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5, to bring the opening 32 over the projection 19 and a nut 37 is threaded on the projection and tightened. This forces the surface downwardly to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 5. By this action the upper surface-29 of the spaced fingers 28 is caused to be cammed upwardly into engagement with the square nut resulting in a tight assembly. During the pivotal or swinging movement of the body the square nut 36 engages the surface and thus is prevented from rotating.

If it is desired to remove the trolley for repair or replacement, the nut 37 is removed from the projection 19 and the rear of the body 20 is swung upwardly, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5, to permit the body then to be moved rearwardly clearing the fingers 28 from the position beneath the square nut 36.

We Claim 1. In a subfloor conveyor system, the combination comprising a chain comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links,

a plurality of pusher trolleys,

each pusher trolley comprising a body having a generally vertical opening therethrough at one end and a generally horizontally extending open-ended slot at the other,

said body adjacent said slot having an under surface extending generally upwardly and forwardly,

longitudinally spaced threaded projections extending generally vertically from said chain,

one of said projections extending through said slot and the other of said projections extending through said opening,

a nut on each said projection extending through said opening such that said trolley may be assembled to said chain by first engaging the slot beneath the nut on the said one projection and thereafter moving the trolley body downwardly to bring the other projections through the opening in the body and finally threading the nut on the other projection,

said slot defining spaced fingers, the undersides of which have said surface that extends upwardly and forwardly.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said surface on the undersides of said fingers have a gradual curve. 1

3. In a subfloor conveyor system, the combination comprising a chain comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links,

a plurality of pusher trolleys,

each pusher trolley comprising a body having a generally vertical opening therethrough at one end and a generally horizontally extending open-ended slot at the other,

said body adjacent said slot having an under surface extending generally upwardly and forwardly,

longitudinally spaced threaded projections extending generally vertically from said chain, I

one of said projecions extending through said slot and the other of said projections extending through said opening,

a nut on each said projection extending through said opening such that said trolley may be assembled to said chain by first engaging the slot beneath the nut on the said one projection and thereafter moving the trolley body downwardly to bring the other projection through the opening in the body and finally threading the nut on the other projection,

the size and shape of said body adjacent said slot being such that a wedging action is produced between the nut on said one projection and the body.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said links forming said chain comprise vertically spaced generally horizontal links interconnected by individual links about vertical axes.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3 including a track,

said trolley body having wheels thereon engaging said track.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said.

track supports said chain in a suspended relation beneath said trolleys.

7. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said slot is adjacent the forward end of said trolley body.

8. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said body includes a portion thereof adapted to engage the tow pin of a carrier.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein said body supports a hold back dog in pivotal relation generally forwardly of said tow pin engaging surface.

10. In a subfloor conveyor system, the combination comprising a chain comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links,

said links forming said chain comprising vertically spaced generally horizontal links, individual links, and vertical pivot members pivotally interconnecting said links about vertical axes,

a plurality of pusher trolleys,

each pusher trolley comprising a body having a generally vertical opening therethrough at one end and a generally horizontally extending open-ended slot at the other,

said body adjacent said slot extending generally upwardly and forwardly,

longitudinally spaced threaded projections on said pivot members extending generally vertically from said chain,

one of said projections extending through said slot and the other of said projections extending through said opening,

a nut on each said projection extending through said opening such that said trolley may be assembled to said chain by first engaging the slot with said one projection beneath said nut thereon with the nut threaded thereon and thereafter moving the trolley body downwardly to bring the other projection through the opening,

the size and shape of said body adjacent said slot being such that a wedging action is produced between the nut on the projection and the body.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said slot is defined by spaced fingers extending generally horizontally from said body, the undersides of which have said surface that extends upwardly and forwardly.

12. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein the underside of said fingers has a gradual curve.

13. The combination set forth in claim 10 including a track,

said trolley body having wheels thereon engaging said track.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said track supports said chain in a suspended relation beneath said trolleys.

15. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said slot is adjacent the forward end of said trolley body.

16. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said body includes a portion thereof adapted to engage the tow pin of a carrier.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said body supports a hold back dog in pivotal relation generally forwardly of said tow pin engaging surface.

* i i i 

1. In a subfloor conveyor system, the combination comprising a chain comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, a plurality of pusher trolleys, each pusher trolley comprising a body having a generally vertical opening therethrough at one end and a generally horizontally extending open-ended slot at the other, said body adjacent said slot having an under surface extending generally upwardly and forwardly, longitudinally spaced threaded projections extending generally vertically from said chain, one of said projections extending through said slot and the other of said projections extending through said opening, a nut on each said projection extending through said opening such that said trolley may be assembled to said chain by first engaging the slot beneath the nut on the said one projection and thereafter moving the trolley body downwardly to bring the other projections through the opening in the body and finally threading the nut on the other projection, said slot defining spaced fingers, the undersides of which have said surface that extends upwardly and forwardly.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said surface on the undersides of said fingers have a gradual curve.
 3. In a subfloor conveyor system, the combination comprising a chain comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, a plurality of pusher trolleys, each pusher trolley comprising a body having a generally vertical opening therethrough at one end aNd a generally horizontally extending open-ended slot at the other, said body adjacent said slot having an under surface extending generally upwardly and forwardly, longitudinally spaced threaded projections extending generally vertically from said chain, one of said projecions extending through said slot and the other of said projections extending through said opening, a nut on each said projection extending through said opening such that said trolley may be assembled to said chain by first engaging the slot beneath the nut on the said one projection and thereafter moving the trolley body downwardly to bring the other projection through the opening in the body and finally threading the nut on the other projection, the size and shape of said body adjacent said slot being such that a wedging action is produced between the nut on said one projection and the body.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said links forming said chain comprise vertically spaced generally horizontal links interconnected by individual links about vertical axes.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 3 including a track, said trolley body having wheels thereon engaging said track.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said track supports said chain in a suspended relation beneath said trolleys.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said slot is adjacent the forward end of said trolley body.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said body includes a portion thereof adapted to engage the tow pin of a carrier.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein said body supports a hold back dog in pivotal relation generally forwardly of said tow pin engaging surface.
 10. In a subfloor conveyor system, the combination comprising a chain comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, said links forming said chain comprising vertically spaced generally horizontal links, individual links, and vertical pivot members pivotally interconnecting said links about vertical axes, a plurality of pusher trolleys, each pusher trolley comprising a body having a generally vertical opening therethrough at one end and a generally horizontally extending open-ended slot at the other, said body adjacent said slot extending generally upwardly and forwardly, longitudinally spaced threaded projections on said pivot members extending generally vertically from said chain, one of said projections extending through said slot and the other of said projections extending through said opening, a nut on each said projection extending through said opening such that said trolley may be assembled to said chain by first engaging the slot with said one projection beneath said nut thereon with the nut threaded thereon and thereafter moving the trolley body downwardly to bring the other projection through the opening, the size and shape of said body adjacent said slot being such that a wedging action is produced between the nut on the projection and the body.
 11. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said slot is defined by spaced fingers extending generally horizontally from said body, the undersides of which have said surface that extends upwardly and forwardly.
 12. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein the underside of said fingers has a gradual curve.
 13. The combination set forth in claim 10 including a track, said trolley body having wheels thereon engaging said track.
 14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said track supports said chain in a suspended relation beneath said trolleys.
 15. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said slot is adjacent the forward end of said trolley body.
 16. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said body includes a portion thereof adapted to engage the tow pin of a carrier.
 17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said body supports a hold back dog in pivotal relation generally forwardLy of said tow pin engaging surface. 